Posted in General | August 12, 2017 

Your car is one of the most flexible investment items in your portfolio. It is a high ticket item that can come in handy when certain financial struggles arise. The modern market places high values on vehicles. This is no secret. Some vehicles have a price tag that equates to a good annual salary, or better. This is why vehicles are most often sold in payment schedules that work well with personal paychecks.

A Big Vehicle Means a Big Investment

The beauty of a vehicle however, is its flexibility in being a cash item. That’s right, a cash item. In the past, the family vehicle was considered a solid piece of a personal portfolio. When a person was able to buy a car outright, it symbolized the ability to maintain certain financial demands that could weather ups and downs. In today’s market, owning a vehicle means having flexibility in meeting financial obligations whenever necessary. This gives rise to the importance of being able to sell a vehicle on a whim.

Modern people aren’t only interested in owning cars and trucks. They are also interested in utility vehicles like RVs. RVs are a symbol of freedom. They can be secured with a low payment plan, yet offer incredible amounts of opportunity when it comes to planning things like a family vacation. If the need arises, RVs are also a solid way to convert property into cash.

Don’t Wait For an RV to Sell

Many people try to sell their RVs through traditional methods, and realize these vehicles are difficult to move. In some circles, RVs are considered the timeshares of motorized properties. With a company that specializes in immediate RV sales however, they can be a source for immediate cash. The most common struggle with selling an RV is disconnecting from what the model emotionally symbolizes. Having an RV is a symbol of wealth. It is an alternative vehicle that signals to others that a household is secure. Selling an RV for cash needs requires immediate action.

Though the love of recreational vehicles can be at the center of a person considers to be the ultimate in status, selling an RV should always be a reliable way to gain cash needs. There are many cash for RVs in Seattle sources available that can alleviate needs in a pinch. In places like Seattle, where travel is king, the RV selling process is simple and quick. When selling an RV is the best way to get a cash boost, skip the dealerships and go directly to work with agencies who offer cash on the spot. You’ll be surprised at how reasonable and professional cash-for-vehicle agencies can be.

Posted in General | August 12, 2017 

The world just gets busier and busier. In metropolitan areas, it is hard to find time to get a car serviced. The owner knows regular maintenance is needed, but just doesn’t have the time. That’s where a good concierge-style auto center comes into play.

Removing Obstacles
More and more luxury car dealers are offering concierge services to compete with each other, but that doesn’t mean a regular car owner can’t find those services out in the real world. Some regular car repair shops list extras such as pick-ups, drop-offs, and off-site services.

Pick Up Services
Since the car owner is busy, an auto repair shop can pick up your car. For instance, Addison Auto Center has a standard three-mile radius where they will pick up a car for free. In addition, they charge a very reasonable fee outside that perimeter. If the owner can find help like this, he or she can be working in the office all day while the car is getting the attention it needs. Not only is this saving time, but it is also saving money in the long run. How? The car is getting maintenance and repairs in a timely manner. A good auto mechanic will spot anything that’s wrong and warn the driver before it gets worse. An oil leak, for example, will be diagnosed and fixed before it can become a major repair.

Corporate Use
Corporate fleet managers will find much to like in a concierge service. The auto center can help keep track of the fleet’s maintenance and provide management for its regular upkeep. A concierge service can pick up the vehicles and bring them back. This may reduce vehicle downtime, which, in turn, improves employee productivity. With a full-service auto center, a concierge can keep the fleet up to date on state inspections.

On Your Doorstep
A good concierge auto center may go beyond the pick-up and drop-off of vehicles. It may also have a menu of off-site services. The most common reason that people call their concierge auto service is to get help with a dead battery. The owner may avoid a tow with help like this.

Car owners should check out which auto centers offer more for their money through concierge services. It will reduce the hassle and still ensure that repairs are done in a timely manner.

Posted in General | August 10, 2017 

Florida independent insurance agents work with more than one insurance company to offer a variety of product options to their customers. The benefit to you is these agents are not obligated to show brand loyalty to one policy over another. Their motivation is to sell the insurance product that works best for you and your family.

Here are four other advantages to consider when deciding to work with these types of agents.

1. Access to More Coverage Choices

The biggest advantage to working with independent agents is that you have access to more than one policy choice. By working with one agent who represents one company, your coverage options are limited.

Independence means agents can show you several different options. This helps to ensure that you will find a policy you like, not simply one that the agent earns the highest commission for selling.

2. Save More Money

You will find that another advantage to using an agent who works independently is the ability to save money. Different polices often come with different prices. An agent is not focused on one particular brand over another.

Instead, he or she helps you find the best deal, which is often cheaper. The agent sells the policy and you save money on monthly premiums without compromising the coverage that you really need.

3. Receive Unbiased Advice

By working with an independent agent, you receive unbiased advice based on your insurance needs. Of course, one company wants you to believe they are your best and only option. The reality is that it probably would not be your top three choices once you see what other insurers have to offer.

Independent agents have industry knowledge from working with companies and customers for a period of time. They will help you narrow the options that exist in the marketplace.

4. Get Insider Help with Claims

Industry knowledge also works to your advantage if you ever file a claim. Even when working with your carrier, an associate might have more motivation to work in the best interest of the insurance company. Independent agents are not restricted by protocols in one company and can help you with the claims process.

The insurance industry can be very complicated for outsiders. All the technical jargon and legal rules can confuse even the smartest person on earth. Having someone who understands the process, as well as knows the latest industry news, can help you make decisions that work for you.

Posted in General | July 29, 2017 

There are plenty of hazards while driving in winter. Between January and March 2016 in the UK, the coldest months of the year, there were 430 fatalities in reported road accidents. Health and safety experts attribute these accidents to icy roads and generally the deplorable driving conditions in the winter. The dangers of driving in winter include snow and mud, limited visibility, ice and black ice, blizzards and of course there is the cold.

While the dangers maybe real there are several things you can do to prepare your car for winter driving, to ensure the car remains reliable on the road and also keeps you safe and warm inside. Here is how you can do it.

Check Tire Pressure And Tread Depth

The tires are the only contact point between you and the icy road. If you are a regular driver in the winter, you might want to consider switching to winter tires. They offer more grip even in the cold temperatures of below five degrees. They are not cheap but are worth the investment.

If you don’t want to run the extra cost of tires, checking the tread depth is equally important and can significantly improve handling and braking. The recommended tread depth is 1.6 mm, check the tire pressure and ensure you comply with the tire manufacture’s recommended specifications.

Check Coolant And Antifreeze Levels

Antifreeze as the name suggests is a fluid that keeps the engine cooling system from freezing on the cold winter road. There are several coolant and antifreeze levels measuring kits available in auto spare outlets. Their directions of use vary with the car specification. It is important to check these fluid levels as you tackle the cold weather.

Use Winter Windshield Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluids are not the same. The ones used in summer are worse than useless during the winter, they freeze over the windscreen in the low temperatures and accumulate frost and ice. In the winter switch to winter windscreen wiper fluid, it does not freeze and as an added bonus it helps loosen ice and snow on the windscreen.

Use Winter-grade Oil

In the colder weather you’ll need the oil in your car to be thinner. In the low temperatures the oil in your engine moves a lot slower especially during startup. This takes a toll on the engine’s circulation and the thinner oil will move more easily, improving your engine’s efficiency and reliability.

Check Exterior Lights

It is obvious that visibility on winter roads is seriously impaired, with the falling snow and frosty air and sometimes even the glare from the snow is a bit much. It is important to make sure you can see and can be seen on the road.

One of the simplest ways to do this is to ensure the exterior lighting are in perfect shape. Clearing them off any accumulation of dirt, salt and frost will go a long way to increase visibility on the road especially in the dark.

Check Your Car Battery

The cold winter weather is a car battery killer. The low temperatures interfere with the chemical processes in the battery. Ensure that your battery is reliable during the winter. You can check your battery with the correct equipment yourself. Ensure the battery chargers work properly and avoid having the battery drain out in the cold. Replacing an unreliable car battery may be the difference between remaining stranded on the side of the road trying to start your car and staying on the road.

Door Locks

The cold winter wind can easily freeze the door locks and windows. If door locks are frequently frozen, dip the key in petroleum jelly before trying to open the lock. Avoid tuning the key forcefully to avoid breaking it. Also a bit of thin oil around the key lock goes a long way to avoid freezing the lock.

Winter Supply

Even with all precautions and preparation for the winter road you should always be prepared for the worst. Dragging along an entire survival kit in your car may seem a bit odd but you’ll be glad to have it once need arises. You can always find yourself stranded on the roadside stuck.

Here are some of the item you should have on your winter box

1) A high visibility jacket

2) Hazard warning triangle

3) A shovel

4) Warm clothes

5) Food and drinks

6) A cell phone charger and of course a cell phone

7) Torch

8) Tow rope

9) First aid kit

10) A small bag of sand for traction when stuck

If you find yourself stuck at least some of these items will give a fighting chance on the cold roadside.

However dangerous it may seem to drive in the winter, a few checks and improvements to your car maybe all you need to brave the cold journey.

Author  Bio

Stella Grant

My name is Stella Grant . I am the founder of Speedfinal.com . Automotive is my passion, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

Posted in General | July 19, 2017 

When buying a used car from a dealer or a private seller, you might skip the professional inspection in favor of a test drive. While a test drive will let you know how comfortable you feel behind the wheel and if the vehicle has all the head and leg room as well as storage space that you need, it won’t tell you how long that car will last or how much maintenance you need to do in the future. After taking that car for a test drive, you can learn more about it with a professional inspection done by a local mechanic.

Save Money on Future Repairs

The biggest reason to pay for a professional inspection before buying a used car is because it can help you save money on future repairs. When you meet with the seller, that seller may not tell you everything you need to know about the car like how it starts sputtering after a few minutes on the highway or how the AC doesn’t work. The mechanic who examines the car will tell you everything that is wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix.

Find Hidden Damage

Never take what a seller says at a face value. You might hear that the former owner was a little old lady who only drove the car to the grocery store and church a few times a week. A professional inspection can reveal whether the car has such low mileage because the odometer already went over or if there are signs under the car that it went through a flood in the past. The mechanic may even find evidence that the car was in a fire and needs some extra work.

Learn About Maintenance

Getting a professional inspection done can also help you learn about what maintenance the car needs and how often you need to pay an oil change Addison TX shop to check out your car. During the inspection, the mechanic may find evidence that the car went too long between oil changes, which caused some significant damage to the engine. You can ask questions about the tread on the tires, whether it needs new tires or a rotation, the types of fluids it needs and how often you need to replace those fluids. If you want to avoid headaches in the future, it’s smart to pay for a car inspection before you buy.

Posted in General | June 3, 2017 

There are many companies that are forced to build large parking facilities because of the amount of employees they have. However, it is becoming common for business owners to hire companies that specialize in building automated parking structures. These buildings dramatically reduce the amount of space required to park cars. Do you own a business that has to devote too much space to parking the cars of your employees? If this is the case, you might want to seriously consider consulting a company that has built many automated parking structures in the past. Here are some of the things that you will need to look for when you are going to find a company to build an automated parking structure for your business.

1. How long has the company been designing automated parking structures?

Obviously, you do not want to entrust the designing of an automated parking structure to an inexperienced company. You need to be sure that the company you go into business with has a long history in the parking automation industry. The websites of companies that design automated parking structures should give you some indication about how long they have been around. Ideally, you should never hire a company that has been designing automated parking structures for less than five years.

2. Take a look at some of the previous automated parking structures designed by any company you are thinking about hiring.

Do not hire a company unless you can take a look at some of the other automated parking structures they have designed with your own eyes. You will be making a significant investment when it comes to an automated parking structure for your business. Therefore, it is imperative that you see if any companies you are considering are capable of building structures that are up to your standards.

3. Talk to other business owners who have already built automated parking structures.

It would be a very good idea to consult with other people who have been using automated parking structures for several years. These people will be able to tell you what to expect. You can also learn from some of the mistakes they have made. Ask these people about the company they hired to design their automated parking structure. Are they happy with the quality of work they received? Did they get charged an affordable price? Asking these questions could help you in your search.

Posted in General | May 25, 2017 

Wanting to buy a new Volkswagen for exploring the UK with your family this summer? To help make your decision, check out the research below from UK based Volkswagen dealer, Inchcape Volkswagen  and find out how far you can get on each gallon of fuel you fill up on.

The VW model with highest miles-per-gallon rate is listed in each case (unless there was more than one with the same figure):

Posted in General | May 13, 2017 

In light of this year’s Formula One season, some of you might have the thrill to release your inner Lewis Hamilton with a day on the racing track. Luckily for you thrill seekers, the UK is a haven for track day experiences — just take a look at this handy calendar from TrackDays for events taking place on renowned circuits such as Silverstone, Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

But once you’ve found a track that’s right for you, it’s important to make sure your car is ready to hit the track and if you are prepared to put pedal to the metal.

Fear not, car radiator supplier Advanced Radiators has this nifty guide so that you don’t forget anything when preparing.

Preparing the car

You’ll need to prep your car ahead of racing – it’s almost like a mini service of your own.

First things first, your tyres must match the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Tyre pressures can be a cause for debate when it comes to track days — run them too low and damage can be caused to the sidewalls (due to them flexing when putting them through sustained cornering), while too high a pressure runs the risk of increased wear. Bear these points in mind when deviating away from the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

This also entails making sure your tyres are in a good general condition – this means no damage and the thread should be above the legal limit of 1.6mm across 75% of the tyre.

Pop open the bonnet and check that all fluids are topped up to their maximum marks. Cornering force on a track can result in fluids building up on one side of the vehicle’s reservoir, causing the potential of fluid starvation.

Safety is key when racing. You’ll need to carry out a few checks of the safety equipment inside your car. Seatbelts must be in good condition with no tears or issues with them clipping into their holds, while you need to ensure there are no loose objects that could fly around and cause damage or injury once you’re at high speed. By removing as many items as possible from inside your vehicle, you will be surprised at how much lighter this will make your vehicle.

On the topic of shedding weight, ensure your car has just enough fuel to get through the day instead of filling the tank all the way to the top – and causing the vehicle to be unnecessarily heavy. Higher octane fuel is advised, as it tends to aid performance significantly more than the standard alternatives.

Preparing the driver

Whilst preparing your vehicle is important, you’ll also need to prepare yourself.

The clothing you wear should be considered carefully. Fire-retardant clothing made using natural fibres are recommended to ensure the highest level of protection. In fact, many circuits have policies in place which state that arms and legs must be covered while you’re on track.

When considering your choice of footwear, be aware that on most tracks, closed toe footwear is the minimum requirement. You should also be sure to opt for a shoe, boot or trainer with thin soles and no overhang so that they achieve good pedal feel lap after lap.

It Is likely that your insurance doesn’t cover you for this style of driving. Most don’t as standard but usually you can just add this on the day of the event for a small premium by contacting your provider. If this isn’t an option for you, seek out specific trackday cover so that your no claims discount isn’t affected in the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim from your day out.

Posted in General | May 9, 2017 

Conditions such as fatigue and lack of light can compromise your vision while driving at night. Other situations separate from your actions like rush hour traffic or an impaired driver also contribute to whether your road is clear. You might wonder if you find headlights for my car that it is safer driving during one of the most dangerous times of the day.

Keeping every part of your vehicle working properly can help to improve your chances of getting to and from your destinations. Still, it also helps to be aware of dangerous conditions and how to do your part in avoiding a crash.

Poor Road Visibility

Darker road conditions are not the ideal situation for human eyes. Seeing clearly at night naturally begins to deteriorate as we age. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do that will improve your vision when driving at night is unavoidable.

• Get regular vision checks so street signs are clear to read.
• Try wearing anti-glare lenses to reduce the strain of exterior lights.
• Clean headlights, replace dim bulbs or cloudy covers that will reduce your ability to see clearly.
• Also, keep your windshield clean so dust does not accumulate. This can make it difficult to see when an oncoming car’s headlights are approaching.
• Avert your attention from oncoming traffic to prevent temporary blindness that occurs from trying to adjust to the bright lights staring back at you.

Rush Hour Traffic

Driving comes with inherent risks, but peak evening hours can often be more dangerous. Between frustrated drivers and the slow stop-and-go movements, you want to stay focused and calm.

Never tailgate because you never know when the driver in front of you may need to stop or change lanes. Reduce your speed and use defensive driving techniques to be aware of the movements of other vehicles. Avoid distracting behavior like using your phone or switching radio stations.

Impaired Drivers

Not only is driving under the influence against the law, but it is also extremely unsafe to do so. Sharing the road with an impaired driver is most likely to occur at night when people leave bars and restaurants. Be vigilant for anyone who appears to be driving erratically.

When the sun goes down, you can face extra dangers while driving on the road. There are plenty of hazards to watch out for such as compromised visibility and distracted drivers. Since it is nearly impossible to avoid ever driving at night, do your part to reduce the number of risks that can turn into tragic accidents.

Posted in General | May 9, 2017 

Save for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tags, drivers normally don’t consider automobile labels as an important part of maintenance. However, without proper labels, a driver doesn’t know the past history of the vehicle, comprehend the paint and trim colors should an accident take place, or how to properly inflate the tires. In the end, the lack of these labels can cause you to run into problems after purchase and a car dealership to falter due to lack of confidence in their legality.

So, in addition to VIN tag replacement, the replacement of all other pertinent labels is a priority, especially with pre-owned vehicles. Once again, the Internet comes to the rescue on this as there are many outlets, like AutomotiveID.com, which help get the required labels. All you as the new vehicle owner need to do is request the dealership to do research and put down some cash.

The VIN label is the most important. If there isn’t one on the vehicle, or it seems damaged, the dealership needs to replace this as quickly as possible. The same goes for the anti-theft label if a system is enabled in the vehicle. Emission control and tire loading are the second most important. The emission label allows those at inspection stations and repair shops to review information on an older vehicle’s output without charging extra for research. The tire loading label is required so drivers don’t under- or over-inflate their tires. Both of these situations can lead a shortened life for tires and brakes as well as damage to the suspension system.

The paint and trim label extremely important for vehicles of older model years, especially classics. This label provides the necessary colors needed to restore the vehicle to its original color or help in repairing minor scratches.

What to do if the dealership isn’t interested in ordering these labels? Best thing is to leave without making a purchase and find a dealer which will help you on these matters. And if the previous dealership had a number of cars without VIN or other labels, a call to the Better Business Bureau or even law enforcement may be needed as the vehicles sold may not be on the up and up.